Carl Joseph “CJ” Camenzind

January 23, 1985 ~ May 5, 2019

WCHA Founding Member

Carl Joseph Camenzind was born on January 23, 1985 in Blair, Nebraska to Larry and Debra (Bell) Camenzind. He grew up in Valley, Nebraska where he attended grade school and graduated from Valley High School in 2003. As a young boy, CJ enjoyed hunting and fishing, farming, showing Quarter Horses and being around his dad’s race car. He was a good athlete, excelling in football and wrestling.

After graduation, CJ has lived in LaPorte City, Iowa and Cedar Falls, Iowa before returning to Valley. He worked as a AQHA Professional Horseman but his true passion was farming. He loved Rock music, horses, ice fishing and welding, which he turned into amazing art work. CJ dearly loved his son Cole Arthur and was a great father. He was a strong, patient, stubborn man with a big heart and a deep love for his family. CJ was the “keeper of the farm” and very protective of his property. He loved to spend time at the river with Cole, teaching him to fish and enjoy the outdoors. CJ was an avid Husker and Dallas Cowboy fan. He enjoyed a good prime rib dinner, a cold Busch Light and dinner out at Del Frisco’s in Dallas and a breakfast of Chicken Fried Steak and Eggs at Shirley’s Diner in Millard.

CJ died suddenly on Sunday, May 5, 2019 at Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 34 years, 3 months and 12 days. He is survived by his son Cole; Mother Debra (Richard) Donnelly of Cedar Falls, IA; father Larry Camenzind of Elk City, NE; brothers and sisters-in-law Chad and Amanda Camenzind of Valley, Mike and Megan Camenzind of Cedar Falls, IA and Larry Jones of Phoenix, AZ; Grandfather Arthur Camenzind; Nieces and Nephews Lauren and Hannah Camenzind, Reagan and Mike, Jr. Camenzind, Taylor Jones and Aaron Camenzind; Aunts and Uncles; Cole’s mother Amanda Payne of Elkhorn.